Mezzanine

Nutty that this wasn’t on here already

Wait a minute this wasn’t on the original list? Now I’m surprised it’s taken so long to get added to the users list. Makes me think everyone like me assumed it was on the first list… One of my go to albums for testing out sound systems this is an absolute classic. Up there with Portishead - Dummy as the two trio hop masterpieces.

On Mezzanine the band Massive Attack has move from a sould and trip hop style to something more. Blue Lines and Protection are also fantastic albums, but the collection of styles and soundscapes on Mezzanine is unbelievable. Their adaptation of Angel is mesmerizing and Teardrop is so full of beauty. Listening to this album gives me the goosebumps every time.

This was a five the moment I saw the title. Just a perfect album. The appearance of chilled, but so oppressive, so enclosing and so beautiful.

A trip-hop masterpiece and one of the best produced albums of all time. Angel is a stunning opener, Teardrop is ridiculously good, and Inertia Creeps is an anxiety-inducing delight. One that should have definitely been on here

My history with Massive Attack is a bit peculiar. I initially dismissed 'Unfinished Sympathy' and let the debut pass me by, only finding my way back to the band through my appreciation for Portishead, Tricky, and DJ Shadow. By the time Mezzanine arrived, I was ready for it, and it did not disappoint. To call this 'lounge' or 'chill-out' music is a massive disservice; this is dark, lugubrious, and ominous territory. The opener 'Angel' sets the tone perfectly: creeping and tense, with Horace Andy’s fragile vocals providing a brilliant contrast to the aggressive, heavy guitar riffs. This play of contrasts is what makes the album so high-caliber. Whether it’s the wonderfully languid and repetitive flow of 'Risingson' (which harbors something genuinely frightening beneath its Velvet Underground sample) or the driving, rhythmic tension of 'Inertia Creeps,' the album feels like one big, flowing progression of unease. A special mention must go to Elizabeth Fraser. Her heavenly, ethereal vocals on 'Teardrop' elevate the song to soaring heights, providing a moment of enchantment in an otherwise claustrophobic landscape. Even when the album briefly flirts with a softer sound on 'Exchange,' it never loses its edge. This isn't music for a quiet night by the fire; it’s an immersive, high-tension masterpiece that remains a personal favorite. An undisputed 5-star essential.

I always forget what this band is about. The name makes me think its some hardcore thing and then the music completely surprises me. Anyway I thought this was great. Trip Hop and its legion sub and side genres are not always my thing but this is a total package.

If you had told me this was on the official 1001 list I woulda believed you. Should it take the place of Kid Rock's "Devil Without a Cause" from the same year? Probably.

Perfection, and well worth being in the book

Like anyone else who knows this album I'm shocked it is not in the original list while lesser albums are. Well done to the submitter for spotting this omission. This has been a goto album over the years and never fails to induce a mood of dread and wonder. It's so insistent and compelling. There is almost nothing else like it. Favourite track is 'Man Next Door' written by the legend that is John Holt.

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: Angel, Risingson, Tearsrop, Man next door, Mezzanine

Classic

Lovely dark music to dream away to

Yes! Surprised this wasn't on the original list. Really great album. Love their sound.

Two in the original list but probably their best for the user list. Outside of being popular for the House intro, Mezzanine is an all around music for tv/movie intros and outros. It has such an ominous sound throughout while being an enjoyable laid back listen. It’s overall a very good album although I may not revisit it, there is still plenty to enjoy here. It is also Massive Attacks best from the ones on this list. 7.1/10

A perfect addition to this list. I already was familiar with “tear drop” which is an amazing song. Loved this album will listen again!

How is this not on the official list? One of the most important albums of all time. A classic from front to back and a genre defining statement.

Very nice. 4 stars.

Apparently very important ‘trip hop’ and so I will agree

Another one joining in wondering why this wasn't included over one of the other albums in the OG list. Saying that, I'm still not the largest Massive Attack fan. It's good stuff but a little long. My personal rating: 4/5 My rating relative to the list: 4/5 Should this have been included on the original list? Yes, but replace one of the Massive Attack albums.

Always enjoyed Massive Attack and this album was no different. Great sound and overall really enjoyable listen.

Trip hop, electronica. Me ha gustado. Un 4.

Mezzanine is really good, should've been on the original list for sure. A few well known tracks that absolutely set the tone of the album and it carries through the rest of them. Definite 4/5, falls short of 5 for me because of the overall weight of quality we've had on selections that I gave it to by comparison.

Forgotten how good this is, i tend to go back to Blue Lines when I need a fix but this is great

While this album is clearly going to get a five-star review, it isn't perfect. It's tempting to say that the massive overuse of Massive Attack tracks in adverts, TV series opening themes, incidental music, phone hold muzak etc is not the fault of the people who made up Massive Attack - but it kind of has to be, hasn't it? I know that this album coincided with a huge shake-up of the those people, and that may explain a less "considered" attitude towards their licencing, but oversaturation does often have an impact on how one perceives and enjoys music. My personal story of this album comes from buying it from a record shop in Buxton in probably 1999 or 2000, but I'd heard it very many times before purchase from my art-school housemate who soundtracked my first six months living away from home with much trip-hop. Dear heavens, his mate Pinky was absolutely bloody gorgeous.

I remember Teardrop from my youth. Rad album through and through

Another one that should’ve been on the original list.

Fond memories of spinning this one up because I knew the House MD theme came from here, and then getting mostly music that’s hitting a different vibe. This one’s an all-timer, probably could bump one of their other albums off the main list

Masterpiece. Nothing more, nothing else.

How was this album not on the original list? I've really come to enjoy trip-hop as a genre, and this is one of the absolute peaks. Just awesome downtempo song after awesome downtempo song. Great beats, great vocals, lots of weird cool shit inbetween 5/5

Good trance-y music. Obviously one things of House MD every time.

4.5

Starts absolutely great, but towards the end I lost interest.

Surprised this wasn't in the original list.

Det är en ganska skön platta med många fina låtar.

Easily Massive Attack's best. Frontloaded, but mostly because the first three songs just so happen to be some of the greatest songs of all time, not because the others are bad or anything. Honestly, probably could have traded the entire rest of Massive Attack's discography from the original list and just have this one. I don't think there's anyone on the planet who doesn't consider this to be their magnum opus. Strong 4/5.

Enjoyed this more than the Massive Attack records on the main list and still don’t fully understand why trip-hop inevitably veers back to sounding like spy movie music, but pretty excellent overall.

Well, I didn't necessarily need to have three Massive Attack albums on a list before I die, but I enjoyed this well enough. Dark and moody.

It's taken me a few runthroughs to 'get' Mezzanine, though I still feel I'm missing something given the massive critical acclaim. The atmospheric yet claustrophobic instrumentals are rapturous, yet I feel the world this album builds is just a bit too sparse and could be better populated. Add in some vocal focus a la Portishead and the LP would feel much more substantiated and impactful, though perhaps the minimalism is the point.

I could have sworn this had already popped up on my list…a good listen anyway. Not fully my kind of music but this has a certain something that appeals.

The hypnotic approach of these Massive musicians is interesting; it's mostly trance music, and it generally feels organic and is easy to listen to without getting frustrated by its flowing sounds.

Do we really need ANOTHER massive attack album on the list? REALLY? I mean, aren't they pretty similar to each other?

After two Massive Attack albums on the original list, we get another one here. Still don't get it. Seems like Massive Attack was big at the time, but this is just background electronic music to me.

Always thought their name was really subverting 2 I genuinely can't grasp why anyone would want to listen to this 1